Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - This year, University of Wisconsin-Platteville accounting professor Patrick Montgomery and approximately 20 UWP students will be hosting a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program in Room 108, Ullrich Hall, on campus. The students will be volunteering their time on March 3, 4, 24, 25 and 31, in addition to April 1, 14 and 15, from noon to 3 p.m each day.

VITA is a federally approved program designed to provide free income tax filing assistance to individuals and families that have a household income of $39,000 or less. The student volunteers who will be assisting in filing tax returns have been IRS certified. Students with an advanced knowledge of the tax code will be working as supervisors, answering client questions, and reviewing tax returns prior to filing. Volunteers not IRS certified will be assigned other tasks that include computer assistance and interpreting.

VITA will assist in filing the following forms: 1040EZ; 1040A with Schedules 1, 2, 3 and EIC; 1040 with Schedules A, B, EIC and R; 1040V (payment voucher); 1040ES (individual estimated tax payment); 2441 (child and dependent care credit); 8863 (educational credits) and 8812 (additional child tax credit).

People interested in receiving this free service do not need to register or schedule an appointment prior to arriving on campus. They must bring a social security card for each person listed on the return, along with a valid state-approved picture I.D. for each filer; all documentation on income (including W-2s and 1099s) and deductions; last year's returns; a voided check for direct deposit; and the name, address, and social security number for their day care provider. At this time, VITA only offers Wisconsin state filing. To learn more about this program, contact Montgomery at (608) 342-1464.

Contact: Patrick Montgomery, accounting professor, (608) 342-1464,montgomeryp@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Kym Bliven, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, blivenk@uwplatt.edu